passage from article: Pawo Tsulak Trengwa, a Kagyu teacher who was the principal scholar of his time, wrote an extensive commentary on this topic, which I studied when I was in retreat. He excoriates the view that the first root downfall means absolute obedience to the guru. He is very explicit: you have to do everything your lama tells you only as it pertains to your spiritual practice. He says that the first root downfall doesn’t apply to how you live and function in the world.

passage from text: In these ways, all experience, appearance, sound, or thought, Are signs that point me to know directly the nature of being. They are solely expressions of my magnificent teacher. In recollecting your great kindness, I pray to you. Give me the energy to know directly the nature of all experience.

passage from text: By understanding the effects of good and bad actions,whatever their importance, May I be able to keep to the workings of seed and result. By seeing clearly the suffering in the three realms of samsara, May I develop the renunciation to leave samsara’s domain.

passage from text: Even with a free and well-favored birth, I waste this life. The meaningless activities of conventional life constantly distract me. When I work at freedom, which is truly important, laziness carries me away. Because I am turning away from a land of jewels with my hands empty, Guru, think of me: look upon me quickly with compassion. Give me energy to make my life worthwhile.

passage from text: May we acquire all the abilities of the ground, path, and fruition. And clear away all disruptions in outlook, practice, and behavior. In the infinite expanse of the wonderful mind of Ever-present Good, May we take hold of eternal being in the youthful vase body.

Participants’ accounts on using tools described in previous sessions; discussion on guru yoga, negative emotions, and faith; instruction and questions on sky gazing; instruction, discussion, and experiences on using the breath and questions to learn how to rest in the view.

Description of protectors and commentary on related text, importance of moderation in protector practices, connection between the three roots (guru, deity, and protector) and the three marks of existence (suffering, non-self, impermanence), questions on above

Devotion reveals student’s internal material, difference between faith and belief, three types of faith and how they transform the three poisons, commentary on guru yoga and related prayer (text available on the website), questions from participants

Comments on the teacher-student relationship, the responsibilities of the teacher and student, methods that teachers use to reveal presence, provide instruction, and point out student’s internal material